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After an intense skate, Calgary Flames left-winger Michael Cammalleri arrived at his locker and was immediately surrounded by scribes and TV types.

Asked if he wanted a minute to catch his breath, Cammalleri declined.

Coming from one of Calgary's fitness buffs, the occasional huff and puff between sentences helped to illustrate the point.

Cammalleri was slated to return to the Flames' lineup for Thursday's 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the Saddledome, but the coaching staff and 31-year-old marksman decided during a morning pow-wow that he would skip one more contest as he works himself into game shape after being shelved by a concussion.

"We want guys coming back in the lineup ready to help the team and get their legs under them a little bit. I'm OK with that," Cammalleri said. "With an injury like the one I had, you do nothing to recover. You get (your fitness level) back quick, no doubt, but you lose it quick also. It takes a bit to get your legs under you."

Cammalleri has now missed nine straight contests, but it's crucial to note the Flames' alternate captain hasn't had a setback in his recovery from the head injury.

Calgary's highest-paid player was cleared to start skating a week ago, but missed three practices when he returned to Toronto for the funeral of his grandfather.

Cammalleri will be back in action for Saturday's Hockey Night in Canada clash with the Minnesota Wild, and it won't be a surprise if scouts from a few contending teams show up for a look at the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent prior to the trade deadline.

"We're doing what's best for the player, because what's best for the player is best for the team," said Flames head coach Bob Hartley. "It's going to help his game-shape, and also I think it's going to help him confidence-wise. It's no secret for anyone, you come back from a knee injury, from a shoulder injury, from a concussion, there's always that doubt that will be there for a game or two or a few shifts and suddenly everything falls back in place.

"I had a great talk with Mike and we felt both on the same page that two more days would be very beneficial."

AROUND THE BOARDS

It's no secret the Flames are trying to hammer out a contract extension with D Kris Russell, who has been Calgary's best blueliner for chunks of this season. Russell's agent, Allain Roy, acknowledged via email Thursday "we have been talking and some progress, but no deal yet." Don't be surprised if it gets done relatively soon ... With his second-period strike against the Sharks, Flames D Mark Giordano extended his point streak to eight games. That's not only the best offensive stretch of Giordano's career, it matches the longest spree by any defenceman this season. Chicago Blackhawks D Duncan Keith and St. Louis Blues D Kevin Shattenkirk also had eight-game point streaks ... With four straight triumphs, is it too late for Flames brass to consider their plan to wear their third jerseys in Saturday's tilt with the Wild? They are, after all, 0-8 in the new togs.

OFF THE GLASS

Flames LW Curtis Glencross has resumed light skating, the first step in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain. Don't expect to see the 31-year-old alternate captain in game action until after the Olympic break ... Flames C Ben Street was tossed from a first-period faceoff against the Sharks, with RW Kevin Westgarth replacing him at the dot. No word on whether Hartley, who was fined $25,000 the last time Westgarth took a draw, had his cheque-book ready on the bench ... After going unclaimed on the waiver wire, Flames C/W Blair Jones was reassigned Thursday to the AHL's Abbotsford Heat.

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Flames winger Cammalleri takes his time

After an intense skate, Calgary Flames left-winger Michael Cammalleri arrived at his locker and was immediately surrounded by scribes and TV types.

Asked if he wanted a minute to catch his breath, Cammalleri declined.

Coming from one of Calgary's fitness buffs, the occasional huff and puff between sentences helped to illustrate the point.

Cammalleri was slated to return to the Flames' lineup for Thursday's 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the Saddledome, but the coaching staff and 31-year-old marksman decided during a morning pow-wow that he would skip one more contest as he works himself into game shape after being shelved by a concussion.